Pancetta And Asparagus Pasta Food

TAGLIATELLE WITH ASPARAGUS, CRISPY PANCETTA AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Snap the woody bottoms off the asparagus stalks and throw them away.
• Cut off the top 4cm of each stalk, put to one side and finely chop the remaining stalks. Heat a wide frying pan and gently fry the chopped asparagus stalks in a little olive oil with the pancetta. When the asparagus softens slightly turn the heat off and mash them roughly with the back of a fork.
• Cook the tagliatelle in plenty of boiling salted water, according to pack instructions. Add the asparagus tips for the last 2 minutes of cooking time.
• Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the cooking water, and toss with the mashed asparagus and pancetta.
• Stir in most of the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. If needed loosen the pasta with a little of the cooking water. Serve with the last of the Parmesan sprinkled on top.
• Tip: Cooking your asparagus with the pasta is a clever way to save on time and washing up.

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the prosciutto in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it renders some fat and begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook until the garlic just begins to soften, about 30 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the wine. Return to the heat and cook until the wine evaporates slightly, about 2 more minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Add the cream and nutmeg and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs, adding the asparagus during the last minute of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and asparagus.
• Add the cheese to the cream sauce and stir to combine. Add the pasta and asparagus and toss to coat, adding some of the reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls and top with more cheese.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS, PANCETTA & CHERRY TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Boil the pasta in salted water. Put the asparagus into a roasting tin, then toss with the oil and pancetta. Roast for 10 mins until the pancetta starts to crisp up, stir in the tomatoes, then cook for 5 mins more.
• Drain the pasta, then add to the roasting tin along with the torn basil leaves and seasoning. Stir well until everything is glistening, then serve in bowls, scattered with grated Parmesan.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Bend asparagus gently until it breaks at a natural point, and discard ends.
• Toss asparagus with oil and minced garlic, and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Season with salt and peppers and sprinkle with diced pancetta and parmesan cheese.
• Roast at 400F for 12 minutes or until done.
• Serve with lemon squeezed over asparagus.

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS, PANCETTA AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; add asparagus to pan during last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain. Sprinkle pasta mixture with garlic; return to pan, and toss well.
• Arrange pine nuts in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan. Bake at 400° for 3 minutes or until golden and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Place in a small bowl.
• Increase oven temperature to 475°.
• Arrange pancetta on jelly-roll pan. Bake at 475° for 6 minutes or until crisp.
• Combine lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle over pasta mixture; toss well.

FARFALLE WITH CHICKEN, ASPARAGUS & PANCETTA

Steps:

• Trim the asparagus and cut into short lengths on the diagonal - keep the tips separate. (If you like, peel the stems to give a more vibrant colour when cooked.) Cook the stems in salted boiling water for about 4 minutes, then add the tips and cook for 1 minute more. Drain and refresh under cold running water.
• Peel the lemons with a serrated knife, remove all the white pith, then cut into segments by slicing each side of the pieces of membrane. Now cut the segments into small pieces (flick out any pips) and put them in a bowl with any juice. Grill the pancetta for 3-4 minutes until crisp - keep an eye on it because it can burn easily.
• Meanwhile cook the pasta in plenty of well-salted boiling water until al dente.While it's cooking, put the butter and half the cream in a large pan and let them bubble together over a low heat for 2-3 minutes until thickened slightly. Tip in the lemon segments and juice, the chicken, asparagus and a few pinches of salt. Turn off the heat.
• Drain the pasta and add it to the contents of the pan along with the rest of the cream. Toss well, adding black pepper and nutmeg to taste, and the grated parmesan. Toss again, top with the pancetta and serve immediately.

FETTUCCINE WITH PEAS, ASPARAGUS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to the bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.
• Meanwhile, cook pancetta in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon drippings from skillet. Add asparagus to drippings in skillet; saute' 3 minutes. Add peas, white and pale green parts of green onions, and garlic; saute' until vegetables are just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add vegetable mixture, 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, dark green parts of green onions, 1/2 cup Parmesan, cream, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, half of the parsley and half of the basil to the pasta. Toss, adding more cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if needed. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle pancetta, remaining parsley and remaining basil over. Serve, passing additional Parmesan cheese.